ASK FOR THE RIGHT THINGS

The mode and formula of prayer given to us by Christ to whom our pleas must be offered is this: There must be no request for riches, no reminder of honors, no pleas for power, no reference to bodily well-being or any request whatsoever to this present life.  The Creator of eternity does not wish that something perishable, something cheap, something time-bound, is sought from Him. It would be terribly wrong to His generosity and lavishness to ignore requests for what eternally endures in favor of petitions for what is transitory and perishable. This kind of spiritual destituteness in our prayers would incur the wrath instead of the favor of our Judge. 

St. John Cassian

(09-01-02)